Quote:
Originally Posted by hawkeye007
How much did your friend contribute to their dinner fund? I’m curious...
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This incident happen about 2 odd years back via Batam Center ferry terminal,his passport was a day or 2 towards hitting the 6 month of expiring (meaning not expired yet) but 100% sure by the time he leave Batam to Singapore,his passport would definitely hit beyond that 6 month mark. According to him,he was 1st denied entry (later called in some siting area and blah blah for some money etc),so in ordered not to spoil his trip,he forked out S$50 (if i dont remember wrong,they initially ask for S$100 but i guess able to speak bahasa helps him a bit).
The least he expect when he was leaving via the same ferry terminal,he was stopped again (by different officers). Same thing happens and they escort him to office and blah blah for money and unless he pays up,he will need to stay in Batam for another night (that was the last ferry) unless he pays up his "fine",which is another S$50 (its initially S$100 and looks like Batam immigration officer nowaday open mouth is S$100,hehehe...). Or else he will have to go to Singapore Consulate and get the necessary document etc on the next day to get a pass thru.
The puzzling on my part was i also have other friends whose passport were a few days hitting expiration before,but they were all fine when entering Batam. I am guessing this has a lot to do with luck.
* i even check with my friend who got fine if they have ask him questions like "why are you here in Batam for?" or "how many days will you be in Batam?"...and he said he was only being asked after he got himself sat down.
My conclusion would be going to Batam with an about-to-hit 6 months expire passport or a less than 6 month passport is like playing the Russian roulette,hehehe... avoid it!
Next time if anyone who got hit by the same thing,hopefully they can remember my question and ask the immigration officer about,hehehe...."will i be charge (or fine) again when i leave?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by ndnd
This issue easiest way is when arrived the immigration. Direct go the visa counter. Tell that officer handling VISA counter say the passport vaild less then 6 months, but want buy a paid Visa. That officer will ask you to pay SGD $50 instead of USD. After paid up, the officer will stamp the passport and give a slip for the paid VISA. Just keep that slip in the passport. No issue when departure from batam. This apply same to those with defected pages in passport.
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Looks like this is the perfect solution (for those 6 month expiring passport holder entering Batam).
Head to VOA (visa-on-arrival) counter to make payment upon arrival to Batam. Can cut queue too,hehehe...i mean no need queue so long (benefit of S$50
).
Noted on the information.
Cheers!